Thrice Interview Series: THE GATHERING STORM
Today I’m interviewing Robin Bridges to celebrate the release of her book THE GATHERING STORM, which came out today! How fabulous does this sound?
St. Petersburg, Russia, 1888. As she attends a whirl of glittering balls, royal debutante Katerina Alexandrovna, Duchess of Oldenburg, tries to hide a dark secret: she can raise the dead. No one knows. Not her family. Not the girls at her finishing school. Not the tsar or anyone in her aristocratic circle. Katerina considers her talent a curse, not a gift. But when she uses her special skill to protect a member of the Imperial Family, she finds herself caught in a web of intrigue.
An evil presence is growing within Europe’s royal bloodlines—and those aligned with the darkness threaten to topple the tsar. Suddenly Katerina’s strength as a necromancer attracts attention from unwelcome sources … including two young men—George Alexandrovich, the tsar’s standoffish middle son, who needs Katerina’s help to safeguard Russia, even if he’s repelled by her secret, and the dashing Prince Danilo, heir to the throne of Montenegro, to whom Katerina feels inexplicably drawn.
The time has come for Katerina to embrace her power, but which side will she choose—and to whom will she give her heart?
About the Thrice Interview Series: The original title for BORN WICKED was THRICE BLESSED. I have a tattoo with the word thrice, which is partly to remind me how joyful writing the first book was, back when it was just mine, and partly because I like threes. Cate Cahill is one of three sisters, as am I. My birthday is May 3; my anniversary is Sept 30; my book deal happened when I was 30. So…you may notice a common theme to my interview questions.
1. Describe your main character in 3 adjectives + a noun.
Katerina is a stubborn, loyal, and sometimes frightening duchess.
2. Describe your book in 3 adjectives + a noun.
A spooky, supernatural, wicked romance (JS: EEP! I love this combination!)
3. Describe yourself in 3 adjectives + a noun.
A nocturnal, slightly twisted, but usually cheerful Virgo
4. If you could travel to any 3 countries, what would they be?
Russia, Ireland, Australia
5. If you could take any 3 non-writing-related classes, what would they be?
Tarot card reading, Guitar, Cake decorating
6. If you could have 3 alternate careers, what would they be?
Archeologist, Radio astronomer, Pastry chef (JS: I would love to be a pastry chef!)
7. What are 3 of your favorite flowers?
Lilies, zinnias, hydrangeas
8. What are 3 of your favorite foods?
Bread, chocolate, Diet Coke
9. What are 3 of your favorite books?
The Grand Sophy, Howl’s Moving Castle, Anna Karenina
Thanks so much for the interview, Robin! I can’t wait to read your book!